The isolation mandated by the ongoing pandemic has seen several lonely singles turn to dating apps for their social and romantic needs. While Tinder recorded its highest number of swipes in a single day in March 2020 — 3 billion, OkCupid saw a 700 per cent increase in dates between March and May 2020 while Bumble reported a 70 per cent increase in video calls. And with Mumbai easing out of its second period of lockdown-like restrictions, the city’s cafés and restaurants are witnessing hopefuls ready to try their luck at romance again, after more than a year of being bound indoors.

“The pandemic has definitely driven home the importance of people and of relationships. This, combined with the influence of social media, has triggered an increase in the need for acceptance. Stress levels are also at an all-time high. Our brain’s cortisol levels increase due to the stress of working from home and engaging with the same people every day. Going out, meeting new people and spending time with loved ones help to create a sense of normalcy,” says Namrata Jain, a Bandra-based counselling psychologist. She adds that some of her clients have even been travelling to other parts of the country to meet potential partners they have been conversing with through dating and matrimony apps.